Jewelry Making: Memorial Bracelets

 

I share a Birthday Month with several friends. For one, this year's birthday will be much harder. Not only are she and I "Virgo Babies", her oldest daughter is one too. Earlier this year, it was a joyful day when they welcomed her daughter's first baby and my friend's first grandbaby. Sadly, that precious girl was taken suddenly last month. 

I wanted to do something to show my love for them and to remember her. Sapphire is the birthstone for September so blue was a given. I had some Sodalite beads I was saving for a special project. This was it.

Supplies

• Sodalite Beads
• Elastic Stringing Cord
• Bead Caps
• Teddy Bear Charms
• Jewelry or Superglue

My original plan was to use the blue crystal beads shown here as a focal but I didn't love it once I strung it on the cord so I switched to an opaque white crystal bead shown here. Aesthetically and symbolically, the white bead worked better representing her innocence.

I love these pink clips from Dollar Tree for Jewelry Making! I cut pieces of the stretchy cord longer than I need because I like the extra length for tying tension. Others measure more precisely. It's a personal choice. Starting with the bead cap, string the gemstone beads until you reach desired length. In general my bracelets are about 7 and 1/4 inches when finished.

I love Loctite's Gel Super Glue for jewelry making. EVERY brand, and I mean EVERY, of Jewelry Glue I've tried ends up getting gloopy and clogged and I've thrown more tubes away because the glue won't come out. This stuff works just as well for me and never clogs. Tie an overhand knot, dot with a small dab of the glue, then tie again. If I'm using heavier beads, I do this again. Using a wire cutter or small scissors, trim the ends. 

I was at Michaels and saw these Teddy Bear charms by Bead Landing and they seemed perfect to add to these. 

I used the silver ones which I used 7MM jump rings to attach. TIP: When I add charms, I add them where I knot the bracelet. 

Of course, I also made a card which I coordinated with the colors in the bracelets.

Nothing can replace their loss but I hope these small things made from the heart will show my love.

Sharing At:

BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve once again all. I hope that September is treating you well so far and that those of you who sent kiddoes back to school this week are settling into the new school year. I don't know about you, but I'm ready for Fall although that still means ninety-degree days here in the desert for a while. But mentally...

Let's take a look at some of the wonderful ideas shared at last week's party! 

The House on Silverado shared this fun Thrift Store Table makeover. Fresh and clean!

It All Started With Paint shared Boho Mason Jar Vases that can be painted to coordinate with any color scheme.

If you've ever been fortunate enough to go to a Disney Park during Fall, you've seen how everything is decorated for Halloween. We love it. Creatively Beth is back showing how you can bring that decor home with this Mickey Inspired Pumpkin Wreath! 

Finally, if you're planning an adult Halloween or other Fall party, these Reeses Pudding Shots from The Wooden Spoon Effect are a must! Non-alcoholic version also available!

Thank you to everyone who linked up and can't wait to see what you've all been up to this week!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve all. Thanks for hanging in with the two-week party. First and foremost, I hope any and all in the midst of Hurricane Idalia are safe and those who were in the path of Hilary are drying out and recovering. 

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We avoided Hilary for the most part. Great timing to take a trip to Las Vegas but since we're not night owls we mostly saw some epic lightning from the dry comfort of our hotel room. 

Thirty-two years ago TODAY, I married the man who's still the only one who's able to take me out of my usual serious self. The one who still makes me laugh. The one who surprises me with "just because" things. The one with whom I've shared ups and downs, joys and sorrows, sickness and health. I'm so thankful to have had a true partner and friend. 

OK! I think extra features are appropriate since I was gone for two parties! 

From Simple Joys,  Priyam once again shows us that you don't need fancy machines to make a gorgeous bouquet of  Paper Flowers! 

Keeping it floral and perfect going into Fall, The Apple Street Cottage shared this GORGEOUS Milkweed Pod Wreath. 

If you've ever passed on pretty glass plates because you weren't sure what to do with them, check out these Glass Garden Flowers shared by Selep Imaging. Like finding hidden treasures in the garden. 

Thrifting Wonderland shared a beautiful Fall Transition Tablescape. Natural and elegant.

With Pumpkin Season upon us, these 15 Minute Dollar Store Bandana Pumpkins from Creatively Beth are a MUST!

Another Dollar Tree transformation by Steph Creates with this Decorative Fall Wood Hanging.

Finally, how yummy do these No Bake Mini Nutella Cheesecakes look and sound? From My Thrift Store Addiction. 

Thanks to all who linked up and can't wait to see what you've all been up to over the past couple of weeks!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

BFF Open House Two Week Party: Aug 17 and Aug 24

 

Happy Friday Eve again! I hope everyone's had a wonderful creative week. The news and pictures out of Maui continue to be heartbreaking and my thoughts remain with those who've lost family and friends and for those yet accounted for. 

It's times like this that being immersed in creativity helps, even if I haven't been the most creative this Summer.

NOTE: Since we'll be gone next week for our "Anniversarymoon" I'm setting this up as a TWO-WEEK party!  This week's link will work for next week's party. 

With that, let's take a look at what you've been up to this week! 

Must Have Mom showed how fun and easy it is to send kids back to school with Personalized Back to School goodies. Fun, cute, and helps kiddoes remember their things! 

We tend to think of teacher gifts towards the end of the school year but how about starting the year off with a Teacher Spa Gift like this great idea from Hunny I'm Home DIY? Goodies a teacher can use all year through!

You HAVE to see the before pictures of these gorgeous Dark Green Nightstands from A Ray of Sunlight. COMPLETE change of look and feel.

Like Tiramisu? Like Speculoos Cookies? How about combining the two like Foodnutters did to make these beautifully presented Tiramisu Speculoos!

Thank you to everyone who linked up and can't wait to catch up once we're back.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

BFF Open House

Bloop! It's Friday Eve again already and the week has flown by. Thought a bug was getting me but I think I out ran it. Whew. Just absolutely devastating news about Maui. We celebrate our 32nd Anniversary this month and we spent our honeymoon visiting Oahu, Maui, and Kuai, and have been back to the islands several times over the years. The Lahaina area is filled with a lot of history and was designated a National Historic District. My heart goes out to the families and friends of the 36 people we know have been lost so far. 

I hope those of you sending kids back to school are getting through that smoothly. I remember all of the forms and meetings involved.

More wonderful creativity shared at last week's party so let's take a look at a few! 

Artsy Va Va shared this great Dragonfly Wooden Canvas featuring Terra Clay Paint!

Speaking of paint, Try It Like It shared how to use Artesprix paint and shaving cream to make these colorful Coasters.

My French Twist shared how to make a pretty and practical Emergency Kit Pouch to keep those little things we need from time to time. This would also work as a cosmetics bag!

The only thing better than a hot fudge sundae is a Hot Fudge Sundae Cake! From Cindy's Online Recipe Box. 

Thank you to everyone who linked up and let's see what you've been up to this week!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

BFF Open House

 

Happy August and Happy Friday Eve all. Hopefully August will be cooler than July. I'm afraid to say that it can't get hotter because...

Once September hits, it's full steam ahead with holiday crafting. This is my favorite time of year with Halloween, Fall, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hanukkah crafts and projects. 

But before we make that leap, let's take a look at some of the wonderful projects shared last week!

With back-to-school season upon us, this Painted Teacher's Chair from The House on Silverado is a fabulous idea for that special teacher. 

If you don't have hydrangeas, there's an easy remedy! Simple Joys shared how to make beautiful Paper Hydrangeas! 

If you do want to get a jump start on Holiday Crafting whether for home, gifts, or fairs, Blue Sky at Home has you covered with this Jeweled Ornament tutorial! 

Finally, whether to beat the heat or just because YUM, this No Churn Swiss Roll Ice Cream from The Kitchen is My Playground is a must! 

Thank you to EVERYONE who linked up and can't wait to see what you've been up to this week! 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter